Mixed Results For Bryan Robson in Asian Cup Qualification

Bryan Robson's first taste of Asian football came last Saturday when Thailand traveled to Singapore. He came through that test with flying colours as the Thais comprehensively beat the Kallang Roar-deficient Singapore 3-1. That win boosted his credentials as a legitimate national team coach. What was even better that Saturday was that Noh Alam Shah, Singapore's best player would be suspended on Wednesday (today) when Thailand hosts Singapore at the Rajamangala Stadium.

Bryan Robson had warned the Thai players against complacency and over-confidence for the return match. To Robson's credit, he sought to re-focus the player's minds and energy on the match at hand. In the end, his worst fears came to pass as Thailand were shocked by Singapore through a first half Duric header. This report can also be found in the AFC website as well.

BANGKOK – Singapore reignited their 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification hopes as Aleksandar Duric's first-half header secured a 1-0 victory over Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium on Wednesday.

The hosts dominated much of the game but were unable to convert a number of chances as Duric's 38th minute header settled the Group E encounter and avenged the 3-1 home defeat to the same opponents on Saturday.

The much-needed three points moved Singapore into second place in the group a point clear of Thailand and a point behind leaders Iran, who face Jordan on Saturday.

Singapore came close to taking a fifth minute lead when Fahrudin Mustafic rode several challenges and let fly from 25 yards but Kittisak Rawangpa brilliantly clawed the ball out of the top corner.

Thailand began to exert their authority but the visitors threatened again in the 24th minute when Khairul Amri's back-heel allowed Duric an opening but his effort was deflected wide.

Three minutes later, a loose pass was pounced on by Pipat Thonkanya and the forward turned quickly before bearing down on goal but he eventually fired straight at goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, who held a low volley from the same player shortly afterwards.

Khairul saw a fierce shot deflected behind by Nataporn Phanrit 10 minutes before the break but Singapore broke the deadlock soon after when Duric – standing unmarked in front of the goalkeeper – deftly nodded in Mohamad Shaiful's corner from the left almost on the goal line.

Pipat had great chance to level on the stroke of half-time when Thailand won the ball in midfield and Datsakorn Thongalao played the forward in down the left but he side-footed just beyond the far post.

Thailand began the second half in desperate search of an equaliser but it was Singapore who almost doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Khairul broke but saw his effort roll wide.

Sutee Suksomkit hit a disappointing free-kick into the wall and his follow-up was held by Sunny before Teerasil Dangda met Sutee's excellent cross from the left with a powerful header that flashed narrowly wide.

Pipat missed another excellent opportunity with just under quarter of an hour remaining when another Sutee centre found its way through to the back post but the unmarked forward lashed into the side netting from eight yards.

Duric's side-footed volley flew just the wrong side of the post after the striker got in front of his marker and Hassan held Suchao Nutunum's shot before substitute Peter Laeng saw a powerful drive drift past the upright as Singapore held on.

Reports suggested that Thailand looked the better side with more cohesiveness in their play. In the end, Bryan Robson suffers mixed results in his efforts of guiding Thailand into the AFC Asian Cup 2011. One win and one defeat means it's still early days. I still think he has the quality and capability to take Thailand to greater heights.

The jury though, is still out on his capability as an international-class coach. Thailand now lie third in the table behind Singapore and Iran. They will need to win all their remaining matches and hope Singapore slips up if they are to qualify for Qatar 2011.

Top 5 Reasons Why Bryan Robson Will Succeed As Thailand National Coach

With Peter Reid taking up the assistant manager position at Stoke City, Thailand FA set out in search of the best candidate to replace him. That search ended with the hire of Bryan Robson, the current global ambassador for Manchester United.

While Robbo has been the most outstanding player of his generation, he has yet to prove himself to be a top class manager. Rarely do the footballing world find top ex-players reinventing and establishing themselves into world-class managers. Robson belongs to this large pool of out-of-work wannabe managers.

Well, he has landed the plum job in the South East Asia region. Thailand is surely one of the top two teams in this region with a fanatical fan following.

He has been given three major targets by the Thai FA. Firstly, to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup Finals in Qatar. Secondly, to make it to the 2012 London Olympics and finally, be the first South East Asian team to play in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup Finals.

But can Bryan Robson deliver?

Here are top 5 Reasons why Bryan Robson will succeed as the Thai National Team coach.

1. Assistant Coach Steve Darby
Steve Darby has been a mainstay in the Asian football scene for over ten years now. He has won numerous domestic and regional titles in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. His knowledge and expertise in Asian players will be very important inputs to Robson. Darby is tactically astute and has the all-important big game match temperament.

2. Group E is an easy group to qualify for the Asian Cup Finals 2011
Apart from powerhouse Iran, Jordan and Singapore should be no match for the talented Thais. Having gotten a draw at Jordan, Thailand will be expecting to beat Singapore and Jordan collecting maximum points before facing Iran.

3. No Language Barrier Problems
Robson's linguistic skills will not be put to the test as Thai translators will be used to channel his key messages to the players. Furthermore, Steve Darby is on hand to translate Robbo's English into Thai English if necessary. Game plan and tactics can be easily understood through trained translators.

4. The New Manager Effect

More often than not, when a new manager takes over a team, the net effect is always a positive one. Even more so, when the new manager has that world class player pedigree that Robson has. The Thai players who were in awe of Robbo during his playing days will want to do well for him. No doubt they will be motivated and enthusiastic to make an impression on the great Bryan Robson. This galvanising effect itself could carry Thailand into the 2011 Asian Cup Finals.

5. Robbo's Early Managerial Track Record
Looking back at his managerial career at club level, Robson had a brilliant spell in the earlier years as Middlesbrough manager. Winning promotion (twice) and guiding Boro to domestic cup finals (thrice) were special feats and Robson's was touted as a possible England manager then. The significant difference between his time at Middlesbrough and subsequent clubs was the enormous talent and quality of the Boro squad at that time. Hence, with the right quality and batch of players, Robson can achieve success with Thailand. Thailand clearly has the more superior and technically gifted players in the South East Asia region.

Yet, it is Captain Marvel's first foray into international football management. His first test will be a double-header against Singapore. Six points against Singapore should banish any ghosts in that Robbo's closet.